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Not So Long Ago

GAI So! What is the problem? Could it be the words we use? If we do not use words with shared meaning how are we going to agree on anything?
This appears to be a global problem. Take rainbows and democracy.

Who owns the rainbow? Who is entitled to the riches one finds in that pot at the end of the rainbow? Who can claim ownership to the pot of gold?

Silly, you say! There is no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. But what if some people believe there is? Some people believe in rainbows and pots of gold just as strongly as some people believe in democracy.

What is democracy? Is it a new world religion? What are its elements or beliefs? Who is the world authority who can answer that question? What country has the right to force another country to embrace democracy?

When we quote experts do we really understand what they are saying, especially if we do not share the expert’s particular mother tongue or culture or time?
Meanings change over time … Wonder what Noam Chomsky would say about it. Personally, I don’t think that sounds much like Noam Chomsky … Then again, who am I to judge?